Since I have a significant amount of weight to lose (100lbs) and since my eating was completely out of control, starting straight vanilla No S was a scary prospect. My mod is essentially the gradual integration of the forbidden "esses" one by one, for 21 days each, until total compliance.

The first habit I developed was no eating - none at all - after 8PM. This is sort of a time-limited No Snacking mod for 21 days. Next, I focused on eliminating all snacks throughout the day...I was still eating some seconds/sweets, but just at three discrete meal times. Again, 21 days.

Once I was practicing "no snacks" regularly, I moved on to adding "no sweets". This was relatively painless as I found I could wait for my S days for these sweet treats, but I did this 21 days until I moved on to....

"No Seconds"...by the time I was at this point, I had learned felt much more in control of my cravings, my eating in general. I was generally more mindful about a lot of things. So.... No Seconds has come pretty easily and I am just at 21 days of total No S!

I LOST 34 POUNDS since that first evening with no snacks!!!! Though I've only been doing COMPLETE NO S for 3 weeks, I have been modifying my behavior and developing good habits for just 12 weeks. I haven't tried much in terms of exercise, just walking for a bit after dinner, but that will be next.

Congratulations. I burn with envy at how fast you're losing, but am delighted that you are doing so well._________________------
My blog http://noelfigart.com/blog/ I talk about being a freelance writer, working out and cooking mostly. The language is not always drawing room fashion. Just sayin'.

I'm thrilled to hear it -- not just for your sake (though that's plenty) but also because proceeding "one S at a time" seems so sensible but until now I haven't heard any evidence that it works. I updated the section on the home page about this with a link to this discussion.

You're doing great! I love your approach! I've been sort of doing No S off and on since last year, and I sitll haven't quite been able to get to Vanilla No S. I've conquered the No Snacks and No Seconds, but the No Sweets is still a tough one for me. Maybe I'll try it in more gradual steps like you, and see if that will eventually help me to conquer the No Sweets rule.

Thanks for sharing this, I'm reading this for the 2nd time and its so encouraging!! I'm going to send this to my friend who's having trouble. An update on how you're doing would be great if you have a chance!_________________Patty

Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but an encouraging word brings him joy. (Proverbs 12:25 NET)
I'm a glutton for encouragement.